• Fixed trade invites not working in-game

• Added new promo items
• Fixed a client crash caused by trying to load an invalid URL
• Fixed Medigun particle beams not always appearing while healing players in DirectX 8
• Fixed a case where clients would hear/see crit effects when their attack was not a crit
• Fixed the Carbonado Botkiller Minigun using the incorrect material for the Minigun
• Fixed a Mann vs. Machine bug related to upgrades after a retry/reconnect
• Updated the Unarmed Combat to add the item_type description
• Updated sv_pure so client will detect corrupt or modified VPK files
  • Use Steam to verify local cache to fix corrupt files
  • Use the custom folder to customize the game
• Item server stability:
  • Improved performance when manipulating multiple items at the same time (claiming multiple item drops, etc.)
  • Improved performance fetching persona names for item descriptions (gifted by, etc.)
  • Improved performance generating Steam Community Market data for item tooltips

• Fixed an infinite berCharge exploit related to loadout presets
• Fixed a case where players that are the target of a vote kick would not be banned from the server
• Fixed a Quickplay crash for Linux clients
• Fixed Linux servers getting disconnected from Steam when multiple servers are run from the same IP
• Fixed taunts not previewing in the character loadout screen after being equipped
• Fixed the High-Five! taunt not hiding the Engineer's weapon
• Fixed some missing knobs on the level 2 dispenser
• Fixed being able to jarate invulnerable targets with the Sydney Sleeper
• Lugermorph Killstreakifier can now be applied to all Lugermorph guns
• Updated several cosmetic items that were missing an item_type description
• Updated several cosmetic items to count as assisters in Pyrovision
• Updated the Medi-Mask to use equip_region beard instead of face
• Quickplay: Added option to search for "nodmgspread" servers
• Quickplay: Removed disabling of non-vanilla option radio buttons when official servers are selected

• Fixed a client crash related to the Quickplay menu
• Fixed the Crafting menu not showing the inputs/outputs correctly
• Fixed the Backpack not drawing paint splotches for items that have been painted
• Fixed the Engineer s belt and pocket equip_regions conflicting for some items
• Reverted the changes to The Half-Zatoichi until the effects on the Soldier can be investigated

• Fixed the MvM upgrade menu closing when a Strange item has its counter increment

• The Shortstop
  • Reduced extra knockback penalty from 80% to 40%
• The Short Circuit
  • Added Penalty - No longer gain metal from dispensers when active
• The Cleaner's Carbine
  • Changed OnKill effect from gain crits for 3 seconds to gain mini-crits for 8 seconds
• Natascha
  • Added Positive Attribute +50% extra ammo
• The Reserve Shooter
  • Increased clip size from 3 to 4
  • Time to mini-crit airborne targets changed from 3 to 5
• The Beggar's Bazooka
  • Changed penalty No primary ammo from dispensers to no primary ammo from dispensers when active
• The Quick Fix
  • Fixed the Medic not gaining the proper speed boost when a Demoman uses the Chargin' Targe or Splendid Screen

• Fixed deflected projectiles not affecting Strange and Killstreak counts
• Fixed the Mini-Sentry range-sphere not accurately displaying the range for the sentry when it is being placed
• Fixed the Spy's revolver using the incorrect reload sound
• Fixed third-person Medi Gun beams appearing jittery
• Fixed the Heavy not playing his response rules lines after eating a Sandvich, Buffalo Steak Sandvich, etc.
• Fixed The Half-Zatoichi using the wrong animations for the Loadout screen and the HUD 3D Character

• Added the Strongbox Key to the Mann Co. Store
• Added 43 community-contributed items to the Strongbox Crate
• Added the Tumblr Vs Reddit Participation Medal

• Added Killstreak Fabricators for the following weapons to the Two Cities Tour reward list:
  • The Lugermorph, The Big Kill, The Iron Curtain, The Frying Pan, The Black Rose, The AWPer Hand, Chargin' Targe, Splendid Screen, and The Mantreads
• Fixed an exploit that allowed players to purchase/sell the Canteen Specialist upgrade to get more money than they originally spent
• Fixed an exploit where players could stand on a robot's head to block their movement for an easy kill
• Fixed players not being able to earn the Frags to Riches achievement if there is money in the world when the mission is completed
• Fixed a bug that caused players to not receive an Upgrade Refund Credit when they should have
• Fixed the UI not updating properly if an Upgrade Refund Credit is earned after the wave has ended

• Added advanced options page, which allows you to search for a few commonly-requested non-vanilla options: 32-player servers, nocrits, and instant/modified respawn times
• Added "Show Servers" button to quickplay. This will run the normal quickplay search, but instead of joining the "best" server, it will present a list of about 20 servers and let you pick.

• Improved loading of item information panels to prevent hitches when cycling through backpack pages
  • Use the convar tf_time_loading_item_panels to control how much time is spent per frame loading item panel data.
• Fixed Australium items not using the correct images in the Steam Community Market
• Added missing payload audio for the Medic, Soldier, Demoman, and Spy
• Added the server command "sv_setsteamaccount" for logging in with a persistent game server account using a login token. Login tokens may be acquired via the IGameServersService/CreateAccount web API. Using a login token is not required to run a game server, but allows Steam users to continue to access your game server from their favorites list if your game server changes IP in the future.
• Added the game server's SteamID to the output of the status command
• Fixed the Killstreak counts not being accurately portrayed in the scoreboard
• Fixed seeing the incorrect LOD settings for models when they are being previewed during submission to the Steam Workshop
• Fixed a UV/skinning problem on the level 1 sentry
• Fixed a problem where "activate virtual reality" doesn't work if you have 2 monitors + headset
• Fixed a client crash caused by trying to load an invalid URL
• Fixed achievements getting stuck in a completed state and not being awarded to the player
• Fixed not hearing hit sounds after a level change when using tf_dingalingaling_repeat_delay
• Fixed the "equipped" label being displayed on incorrect backpack panels when equipping items
• Fixed the upper-left backpack panel always being highlighted when equipping items
• Fixed player names being clipped by item images in the Freeze Cam and Inspect panels
• Updated the equip_region for The Extra Layer
• Updated the Blue team material for the Ambassador to be less red
• Updated ctf_2fort
  • Fixed a rendering bug on a silo prop in the skybox area for the Blue base

• Add quickplay option to only connect to official Valve servers
• Prevent game servers from redirecting players to alternate servers when players connect through quickplay
• Fixed the show_htmlpage command bypassing the cl_disablehtmlmotd convar on the client
• Fixed the loading screen not rendering correctly for Mac clients
• Fixed Asian fonts not rendering correctly for Linux clients
• Fixed a client crash related to Killstreak effects
• Fixed a client crash caused by trying to load an invalid URL in the MOTD
• Fixed a server crash related to screen fades
• Fixed color correction being based off the wrong player's origin in multiplayer games
• Fixed the Heavy's fists not showing the Killstreak effects
• Fixed The War on Smissmas Battle Socks hiding the Soldier's grenades
• Fixed the Meet the Medic taunt not releasing doves during the taunt
• Fixed HUD elements not drawing correctly after beginning to record a demo
• Fixed the Short Circuit particles not always being removed on player death
• Fixed an exploit where players could run the MVM_Revive_Response, MVM_Respec, and use_action_slot_item commands on behalf of other players
• Updated the Unidentified Following Object, Carrion Companion, and Chucklenuts so they can get assists in Pyrovision
• Updated the Festive Gloves of Running Urgently to include a blue material when equipped by the Blue team
• Updated The Brainiac Hairpiece so it can be equipped with items like The Grizzled Growth and added a "no helmet" style
• Updated The Map Maker's Medallion so name/description tags can be applied to it
• Updated the Short Circuit to use the Engineer's melee taunt
• Updated The Scotsman's Skullcutter to use the Demoman's secondary taunt
• Updated The TF2VRH and The Virtual Viewfinder so they can be equipped with hats
• Added UGC Highlander Season 11 and 6vs6 Season 13 medals
• Updated the localization files
• Updated pl_upward
  • Fixed being able to construct buildings in the skybox
• Updated Mann vs. Machine
  • Fixed the bots not being able to equip multiple cosmetic items
  • Fixed Scout bots not playing the correct animation when stunned with the Sandman
  • Fixed not being able to reset the countdown timer if a player disconnects while Ready
  • Updated the countdown logic to un-Ready a team if someone quits during the final 10 seconds or disconnects while everyone else is Ready
  • Updated mvm_rottenburg
    • Improved collision near barricade to reduce players getting stuck
    • Fixed credits not always being collected when they fall into the barricade
  • Updated mvm_mannhattan
    • Fixed being able to construct buildings inside the respawn room
    • Fixed a material problem near the hatch

United Gaming Clans are starting up their Highlander, 6v6, and new 4v4 league for the 2014 season. The first week of matches starts January 20th for Highlander, January 22nd for 6's and January 24th for 4v4. UGC has divisions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand. Players from any of these regions are encouraged to sign up and join the fun! Remember, February 2nd is the last day that teams can sign up. Visit the UGC website for more information.

Additionally, the UGC folks are trying a new experiment this season: Over the next several months they'll be organizing a community donation drive for competitive TF2 prize pools. If you're interested in contributing, visit their fundraiser page for more information.

• Added the ability to change an item's style in the class loadout menu
• Fixed not being able to apply Killstreak Kits to the Sleeping Dogs promo items
• Fixed Killstreak sheens for the Gunslinger and the Heavy's Fists
• Fixed Killstreak counts being limited to 128 kills
• Fixed projectiles not drawing correctly in old .dem files
• Fixed not being able to gift wrap the Festive Sapper
• Fixed the Mann vs. Machine scoreboard not always displaying values correctly
• Fixed an exploit in Mann vs. Machine related to purchasing upgrades
• Fixed not being able to use the Festive Crusader's Crossbow in Medieval mode
• Fixed Medics seeing the incorrect string when trying to heal a target with the Escape Plan equipped
• Fixed Medigun healing beams staying on when the Medic dies while healing someone
• Fixed a problem that caused the Steam Holiday Sale 2013 promo items to be untradeable for some accounts
• Updated Strange Wranglers to track wrangled sentry kills
• Updated the Heart of Gold so name tags and description tags can be applied to it
• Updated the localization files
• Updated the Short Circuit
  • Damage lowered
  • Consumes 15 metal per projectile destroyed
  • Can no longer fire underwater
  • Fixed a bug with orphaned particles

Well, it's December again, assuming you adhere to the Gregorian Calendar, there's an etching of frost on the ol' window panes, unless you live somewhere temperate, and the lights are shining brightly on the ol' tree you may or may not have, depending on religious affiliation and stance on deforestation. That can only mean one thing: It's Smissmas, everybody! It's a holiday we invented that we'd love you to celebrate with us.

We're of course shipping the usual Smissmas celebrations, including new festive weapons, new winter-themed community cosmetics, and a great big sale in the Mann Co. Store. And starting this year, we're also giving everyone who plays during the event a Stocking Stuffer full of goodies. Click here for a full list of changes, fixes, and new content.

2013's been a great year for Team Fortress 2, and next year's looking to be even better. We've got some truly big surprises planned for 2014, and since nobody wants them delayed until 2015, we'd better get back to work.

• All Players who play TF2 during the event will receive a Gift-Stuffed Stocking! Stockings contain goodies for good little Mercenaries.
• Added community-contributed winter event items
• Added the Giftapult, which can be used to launch gift items to randomly-chosen online players
• Added Naughty and Nice winter keys to the Mann Co. Store
• Premium Players will receive a Secret Saxton to give to another player
• Item grants from previous events (including the Spirit of Giving and the Winter Holiday noise maker) have been re-enabled for all players, including those who deleted their earlier grants

• Battalion's Backup
  • Added +20 max HP passive for the wearer
• Concheror
  • Added +2 health per second passive for the wearer
• Crit-a-Cola
  • Reduced consumption penalty from +25% extra damage to +10%
• Diamondback
  • Now also gains a critical attack on successful backstab kills
• Flying Guillotine
  • Alt-Attack now also throws the Guillotine when active
• Short Circuit
  • Attack sped up greatly
  • Ammunition cost has been lowered to 5 metal per attack
  • Players and Buildings are only targeted if in range and in front of attacking player
  • Improved visual effects
• Soda Popper
  • Hype no longer grants mini-crits
  • Added Hypemode which grants up to 5 extra air jumps when active
  • Hypemode is triggered by Alt-Attack when hype is full
• The Beggar's Bazooka has been updated to use the same taunt as The Direct Hit
• Professional Killstreak Mantreads, Splendid Screen and The Chargin' Targe now generate proper effects when on a killstreak. These effects do not stack if another killstreak effect weapon is active.

• "Head" and "Misc" slots for player loadouts have been converted to Cosmetic slots. All items that were previously Head- or Misc-slot-specific can now be equipped in any Cosmetic slot.
• Unusual effect positioning can now be adjusted for all Cosmetic-slot items
• Unusual Circling Effects have been given a new origin
• Unusual effects for all Cosmetic-slot items are now visible in the loadout panel and character HUD
• Fixed the Wiki Cap clipping with the Demoman's head

• Fixed being able to inspect Blue-team bots
• Fixed the mission victory screen not always showing the correct information for each player
• Fixed some clipping issues with the stats in the scoreboard

• Fixed an exploit where players could move around while using a taunt to attack enemies
• Fixed an exploit related to the Rocket Jumper and the Soldier's grenade taunt
• Fixed killstreaks attained via healing not being considered for round-end win panel
• Fixed the killstreak hud indicator position in minmode
• Fixed Taunt Kills strange scores not incrementing properly for the Strange Scorch Shot
• Fixed strange scores on cosmetic items sometimes failing to increment
• Fixed gift-wrapped items not showing their interior item to the wrapping player in some conditions
• Fixed Steam Sale items granted from Snow Globe crafting not being listable on the Steam Community Market
• Improved bot navigation in cp_gorge
• Improved bot navigation in pl_upward
• Updated several materials to fix issues caused by mat_picmip
• Updated the backpack to filter to automatically filter for valid items when using a tool